How to Keep Goats Warm in the Winter
Learn how to keep goats warm in winter with proper shelter, bedding, feeding, and preventing water from freezing to keep your herd healthy.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my links. Read the full disclosure here.
Winter on the homestead can be both magical and tough, especially when you’re focused on keeping your animals comfortable through the cold. Goats are pretty hardy, but they still need some extra care to get through those freezing months.
With a little planning and preparation, you can keep your goats warm, healthy, and happy all season long. Let me share what I’ve learned after four winters with goats in northern Michigan.
For a comprehensive overview of goat care throughout the year, check out my Guide to Raising Goats Naturally.
Creating a Cozy Goat Shelter for Winter
When winter rolls around, making sure your goats have the right shelter is key. Goats are tough little creatures but still need a cozy spot to get through those chilly months.
The good news is they don’t need anything too fancy—just a setup that keeps them warm and dry.
How to Protect Goats from Cold Winds in Winter
A lot of people think goats in cold climates need a heated barn to survive the winter, but that’s not necessarily true.
Their thick coats do a great job keeping them warm, so they’re usually fine in unheated barns. What they really need is protection from the wind, rain, and snow and a dry place to bed down.
You could use an unheated barn or shed with an open door or a simple three-sided shelter if you make sure the open side faces south, away from that cold wind.
This way, they stay out of the harsh winds, and you still get enough airflow to keep moisture from building up.
Tip: Use Heavy-duty tarps to block that cold winter wind if you don’t have a south-facing shelter.
Here on my homestead, our barn faces the north wind, and the lean-to that houses my goat stalls catches that cold air head-on.
To combat this, I hang heavy-duty tarps over the front of it during the winter, and when a blizzard hits, I cover the sides, too. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference it makes!
Keeping Your Goat Shelter Dry and Warm
Keeping your goats dry is just as important as keeping them out of the wind. Even if the temperature isn’t crazy low, a wet goat can easily get hypothermia if exposed to cold winds.
Make sure your shelter is waterproof, and take the time to check for leaks regularly. A dry goat is a warm goat, and that’s half the battle during winter.
Tip: If you have a pallet goat shelter, stuff the pallets with straw as insulation. That’s what I did my first three winters with my goats, and it worked like a charm.
Proper Ventilation to Prevent Respiratory Issues in Goats
Good ventilation is another biggie when it comes to winter shelter. You’ve got to keep the air flowing to prevent respiratory issues from dampness.
But you don’t want drafts sneaking in, either. The goal is good airflow without letting in too much cold air.
An open door, ridge vent in the roof, or a small window can give you control over this, making sure your goats get fresh air without the chill.
How Much Space Do Goats Need in Winter Shelters?
Another important aspect to consider is space. Whether you’re raising miniature goats or standard-sized breeds, each goat needs enough room to move around and lie down comfortably. Aim for 20-25 sq. feet per goat, regardless of breed.
Why Space Matters for Keeping Goats Warm
Why is this so important? Well, goats establish a pecking order, and if space is tight, the goats at the bottom of the hierarchy could find themselves pushed out of the shelter during cold nights.
So, make sure your shelter is spacious enough to accommodate all your goats comfortably, ensuring everyone has a cozy spot to hunker down.
Best Winter Bedding for Goats: Straw vs. Pine Shavings
When it comes to winter bedding for your goats, the most common options are pine shavings and straw. Both do a good job at soaking up urine and covering up poop.
But straw is definitely warmer in the middle of winter. Its hollow structure traps heat, making it a great insulator. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper.
I typically use about one square bale of straw per week for my two stalls, which are 8’x4′ each; I would need several bags of pine shavings to cover that same amount of space.
On those particularly cold nights, I always add an extra layer of straw to the stalls. This simple act can make a big difference in helping your goats maintain their body heat and stay comfortable during the frigid winter nights.
Taking a little extra time to ensure they have thick, warm bedding goes a long way in keeping your herd healthy and happy all season long.
Managing Bedding for Goats in Winter: Deep Litter or Fresh Bedding?
There are different ways to manage bedding in your goat shelter during the winter. Some folks swear by the deep litter method, where you let the bedding build up over time, allowing it to decompose and generate a bit of heat as it breaks down. While this method might work for some, I’ve tried it and decided it’s not for me.
The deep litter method can lead to quite a mess. It piles up a lot, and I found it took forever to clean out. When spring finally rolled around, I’d be out there for hours shoveling out layers of dirty bedding. Not only is it back-breaking work, but the deeper the bedding gets, the more it just invites pests like mice.
One time, I even found a little nest of mice burrowed down in there! Plus, it can get pretty disgusting, especially when you uncover layers of compacted, decomposing straw and manure.
Instead, I prefer to swap out fresh bedding each week or two. This keeps the stalls clean, dry, and manageable. Fresh bedding helps maintain good coat and skin quality for the goats and keeps the environment less inviting for goat lice and other pests.
It may take a bit more effort on a regular basis, but trust me, it’s worth it to avoid that massive spring cleanout and keep your goats in a healthier living space.
Tips for Feeding Goats to Keep Them Warm in Winter
When the cold weather hits, your goats will need some extra energy to keep their body temperature up, and that’s where feeding the right roughage comes into play.
Grass hay, alfalfa, or a good mixed hay are all solid options. The digestion process itself generates body heat, so keeping your goats munching through the winter is key to keeping them warm from the inside out.
You’ll probably notice your goats eating more as the temperatures drop, and that’s exactly what you want to see. The more they eat, the more body heat they generate.
Be sure to keep their hay feeders full, especially at night, when they need that extra fuel to stay warm during those cold nights.
Alfalfa for Extra Energy: What to Know
Alfalfa hay or pellets are fantastic for giving your goats an extra energy boost. It’s packed with protein, which is great for helping them maintain body heat.
Just be careful when feeding alfalfa to bucks and wethers, as it can increase the risk of urinary calculi. It’s all about balance—give them what they need, but don’t overdo it.
Essential Minerals and Supplements for Winter Goat Health
Beyond hay, your goats need some additional minerals and supplements to stay healthy during the winter months. Here’s a quick rundown of what I provide to keep my herd thriving:
- Free Choice Minerals: Free-choice minerals, like Sweetlix Meat Maker or Purina, are essential for supporting overall goat health.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar in their water aids digestion and boosts their immune system.
- Raw Garlic: Raw garlic is a simple, natural way to support their immune system and acts as a natural anti-parasitic.
- Kelp: Rich in vitamins and minerals, kelp helps keep their coats shiny and skin healthy.
- Herbal Parasite Formula: To manage parasites naturally, I use an herbal parasite formula from Land of Havilah Farm.
- Herbamins: Herbamins, also from Land of Havilah Farm, is a great all-around vitamin and mineral supplement to make sure they’re getting everything they need.
- Baking Soda: Free-choice baking soda is always available to help prevent bloat and support digestion.
For detailed guidance on how I give each supplement, plus daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to keep your goats in top shape, be sure to download my free Natural Goat Care Checklist.
How to Keep Goat Water from Freezing in Winter
Keeping your goats hydrated in the winter is just as important as feeding them, but it can be a real challenge when temperatures drop and water freezes solid.
Goats are picky—they don’t like drinking ice-cold water when it’s cold outside any more than you would. If their water freezes, they might not drink enough, which can lead to dehydration and other health issues.
Unless you’re using a heated water source, you’ll need to stay on top of this. I’m personally not a fan of heated water buckets—I’m always paranoid that my goats will chew on the electrical cords, and that’s just a risk I’m not willing to take.
So, instead, I haul hot water from my kitchen sink out to the goat barn a few times a day. Once in the morning, another mid-day, and then one more time in the evening before bed.
It might seem like a lot of work, but I like to check in with my goats and spend time with them each day, so I might as well bring water every time I do it.
Tip: Use rubber water buckets. They won’t break like plastic buckets do when trying to remove ice.
FAQs About Keeping Goats Warm in Winter
Do goats need a heater in the winter?
Most of the time, goats don’t need a heater in the winter. Their thick coats do an excellent job of keeping them warm, especially if they’ve got a draft-free, dry shelter and thick bedding; they’ll be just fine without a heater.
However, a supplemental heat source might be needed if you’ve got a very young, old, or sick goat—but always use extreme caution. Heat lamps increase the risk of barn fires, especially when placed over deep bedding
How cold is too cold for a goat?
Healthy adult goats are hardy animals and can handle temperatures well below freezing, even down into the single digits, as long as they’re dry and sheltered from the wind.
The real issues arise when temperatures drop significantly below zero, especially if they’re wet or exposed to strong winds. That’s why it is crucial to have a good shelter that blocks the wind and keeps them dry.
Should I put a coat on my goat?
Probably not. Most goats don’t need a coat because their natural winter fur does a great job keeping them warm.
But in some cases—like with young kids or an elderly or sick goat—a coat might provide a little extra warmth. Just make sure it fits well and stays dry because a wet coat can actually make it colder.
Should goats wear blankets in the winter?
Blankets aren’t usually necessary for goats. Their thick winter coats are designed to keep them warm, and a blanket probably wouldn’t stay on them for long anyway.
However, if you have a goat that’s particularly vulnerable due to age, illness, or poor body condition, a blanket could help. Just make sure it stays dry and fits properly, or you might end up doing more harm than good.
Final thoughts on How to Keep Goats Warm in Winter
Keeping your goats warm during winter definitely takes some extra planning and attention, but it’s totally doable.
With the right shelter, warm bedding, proper feeding, and ensuring they always have access to fresh water, your goats can stay cozy and healthy all season long.
Whether it’s blocking that cold north wind, piling on extra straw during freezing nights, or keeping their roughage topped off, these small steps really add up.
They make a big difference in helping your goats not just survive but thrive through the cold winter months.
